It is also known as “Luffa” sponge gourd. It is an annual climbing vine which has vigorous growth. Its immature fruits are used for cooking purpose. Its dry inner fiber is used as sponge to clean utensils. It is good source of Vitamin A and C.  Also, it is good for health as it possesses medicinal property. Its juice is used to cure jaundice. It is good for skin. Also helps to reduce weight. It is much useful for high blood pressure, heart and sugar patient.

It is grown in variety of soils. It gives best result when grown in sandy loam to loamy soil. Ideal pH range of soil is 6-7. 

Pusa Chikni: Early maturing variety. Suitable for rainy as well as spring season. Ready to harvest in 100-110days. Fruits are of dark green color. Gives average yield of 45-50qtl/acre.

Phule Prajkta: Developed by Mahatma Phule Krushi Vidhyapith. Gives first picking in 52days after sowing. Gives average yield of 50 to 60qtl per acre.  

Pusa Sneha: Suitable for cultivation in summer as well as rainy season. Gives average yield of 50qtl/acre.

Pusa Supriya: Ready to harvest in 90-100days. Gives average yield of 40-48qtl/acre.

Other state varieties:

Azad Taroi 1: Early harvesting variety with dark green fruits. Gives average yield of 50-60qtl/acre.

Azad Taroi 2: Suitable for kharif and summer sowing. Gives average yield of 55-65qtl/acre.

LA 33: Long and oval shape fruits. 

Rani: Suitable for kharif and summer season sowing. Gives average yield of 52-64qtl/acre.

Maharani: Ready to harvest in 110-140days. Suitable for kharif and summer season sowing. Gives average yield of 52-65qtl/acre. Fruits are shinning with attractive red color.

Java: Ready to harvest in 110-120days. Gives average yield of 55-70qtl/acre.

Harita: Hybrid, ready to harvest in 90-100days. Dark green fruits with tender shape. Gives average yield of 60-80qtl/acre.

Indam 65: Hybrid. Ready to harvest in 90-95days. Dark green fruits with cylindrical shape. Gives average yield of 60-80qtl/acre.

Plough land for two to three times and bring soil to fine tilth. After ploughing make land levelled to avoid water stagnation field. Prepared raised furrow at distance of 2-2.5meter.

Time of sowing:

For Kharif season, June to July is optimum time for cultivation. January - February is optimum for summer cultivation.

Spacing:

Use row to row spacing of 1.5 to 2meter and plant to plant spacing of 0.6 to 1meter.

Sowing depth:

Sow 4-5seeds at depth of 1-2cm in pit of 60cm diameter. After germination, remove weak seedling and keep healthy one.

Method of sowing:

Direct sowing of seeds on raised furrow bed.

Seed rate:

For one acre land, use seed rate of 1 to 1.5kg of seeds.

Seed treatment:

Soak seeds in cold water for 24hours before sowing.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

At time of field preparation, apply well decomposed cow dung @10-12ton/acre. Overall sponge crop required, Urea@87kg, SSP@125kgandMOP@35kgper acre. Apply whole amount of Phosphorus, Potash and half of nitrogen at time of field preparation. Apply remaining amount of nitrogen at flowering stage. 

Apply fertilizer dose away from seeds at distance of 8-10cm.

In kharif season crop does not required irrigation. Provide irrigation in case of long dry spell. In rainy season avoid water stagnation in field. Provide proper drainage.

In summer season, after sowing, immediate irrigation is necessary. In summer, apply irrigation at interval of 4-7days. And in winter apply water with interval of 8-10days.

To control the weeds, 2-3 hoeings are required at the initial stages of plant growth. Avoid deep intercultural operations. 

Earthing up is also an effective way which should be carried out in rainy season. To control, weed chemically, take spray of Butachlor@0.8kg/acre, within 48hours after seed sowing.

Stacking: Stacking provide support to long vines also help to reduced fruit rot. Provide stacking at distance of 1.2 to 1.8meter.

• Diseases and their control:

Powdery mildew: The symptoms are appearance of white powdery spots on upper surface of leaves which causes leaf withering.

Treatment: Treatment must be given in start of hot and humid summer season. Application of M-45@2gm in 1ltr of water will help to cure powdery mildew. It can also be controlled by fungicidal sprays of Chlorothalonil, benomyl or dinocap.

• Pests and their control:

Beetles: The symptoms are damage to flowers, leaves and stems.

Treatment: Appropriate insecticidal spray will help to cure pests.

Aphid and Thrips: They suck the sap from the leaves resulting in yellowing and drooping of leaves. Thrips results in curling of leaves, leaves become cup shaped or curved upward.

If infestation is observed in field, To control spray the crop with Thiamethoxam@5gm/15Ltr of water.

Depending upon variety and season, crop is ready for harvesting in 70-80days after sowing. According to market requirement, medium and tender fruits are harvested. In peak season, picking should be done at interval of 4-5days. Avoid over maturing of fruits.

After harvesting do sorting and grading depending upon fruits size and color.To increased self life for two to three weeks, stored sponge gourd at temperature of 12-13oC with 80-90% relative humidity. For transportation pack fruits in wooden or bamboo basket with neem leaves or news paper at bottom of box.